Dogs and cats took center stage at Philadelphia’s Schuylkill Banks Sunday for the third annual Pet Fest. Produced by Town and Country Kennel and Pet Care Center and the Schuylkill River Development Authority, the event aims to educate local pet owners as well as entertain.

“It’s geared toward improving the quality of life for the dogs and cats,” said Linda Lowney, owner of Town and Country.

About 1,000 attendees and 13 vendors — including local groomers, trainers, and rescue groups — turned out to the free event alongside the Schuylkill River.

The event featured a “Best Dressed Pet Contest,” a pet makeover station where dogs were groomed, a clothing and accessory area that showcased the latest pet styles, agility and service dog demonstrations, pet photography, and pet food sampling.

Local veterinarians were on hand to answer questions from owners about pet health. Information on pet adoption was also made available in recognition of October as National Adopt a Shelter Dog month.

“We want to make [pet owners] aware of some of the services available to them in the area,” Lowney said. “It also gives some of the shelters and rescue groups an opportunity to bring in their pets so people can see them and how they can fit in to their household.”

“We still had a number of people that came back from the previous years that really like it and a lot of new people,” Lowney said.

For next year, Lowney said plans are in the works to feature more vendors that would be able to assist pet owners in the event of a disaster.